Resources for schools and teachers

If you’re looking for information and activities about a wide range of sustainability issues, you’ve come to the right place. The resources on this page will guide you through fun, age-appropriate classroom presentations and activities that will encourage students to take action to protect our environment. Click the underlined links to explore.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection provides materials to guide schools through recycling and composting improvments; curriculum materials for students of all grade levels about waste reduction and recycling; and posters and brochures about a few different waste reduction issues.

The Massachusetts DEP also manages The Green Team, an interactive educational program that empowers students and teachers to help the environment through waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting. Teachers can sign up to participate, and their classroom can earn rewards for the activities they complete. Registered schools can also apply to receive recycling and composting equipment from the DEP, as well as signs and other materials to support the state’s Idling Reduction program.

The Hitchcock Center for the Environment serves the communities of Western Massachusetts as the premier center for learning about the environment. Contact them for information on their programming and resources for teachers.

The Center for EcoTechnology offers curriculum guidance about sustainable practices and renewable energy, as well as training for incorporating these issues into core curriculum; special initiatives such as a solar challenge for middle schoolers, a local wind farm tour, and the Earth Stewards afterschool program; and technical assistance with the setup of recycling and composting programs.

The Massachusetts chapter of the national Farm to School Project concentrates mainly on making connections between farmers and school districts but also provides resources on a variety of related topics, including school gardens, agriculture curricula, and cooking classes and recipes, including a cookbook specifically intended for food service.

The Farm-Based Education Association's site is a place for connecting with farm-based educators to share information and resources. There you can find information, events, and conversations about educational experiences that strengthen the connection between students and the outdoor environment.

Project WET, Water Education for Teachers is a resource to support teachers as they educate their students about the role of water in our lives, including kid-centered information and activities about the water cycle and water conservation.

Climate Kids is a site hosted by NASA where kids can learn about climate science, and the site offers a page dedicated to educator resources.

Energy Kids, a website by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, is a great place to go for age-appropriate educational resources about energy sources, ideas for field trips, science projects, energy-related careers and more.

About Amherst

The Town of Amherst, located in the lovely Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, is a diverse, inclusive community offering numerous educational and cultural opportunities.

Host to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, the Town enjoys a tradition of open, professional, and high level of government services, quality education, support for open space and agriculture, and respect for its history.